McCain said the United States should stand 'courageously' with Georgia.

BIRMINGHAM, Michigan (CNN) – John McCain came out in support of President Bush’s decision Wednesday to dispatch U.S. aircraft with humanitarian aid to Georgia and to send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice there to demonstrate America’s “unwavering support” for the country.

And despite some recent tough talk towards Russia that has drawn criticism from Barack Obama's campaign, McCain also said he did not think the Russia-Georgia conflict would “re-ignite the Cold War."

"I don't think it means we're going to reignite the Cold War, and I don't think that we're going to have kind of situation," he said at a fundraiser in Michigan, “but I do believe that we need to stand as courageously as we can on behalf of this little country.”

Bush said in a Rose Garden statement that Russia must halt all military operations in Georgia and withdraw troops from the country, while allowing international aid into the region.

McCain said he “strongly” supports Bush’s position.

During the fundraiser, McCain continued his expressions of solidarity with Georgia, at one point citing reports of possible human rights violations by the Russian military.

“I hope they are not true,” McCain said. I'm afraid that some of them are, but we'll find out in the upcoming hours and days."

The presumptive GOP nominee repeated his recent assertion that Moscow’s aggression indicates the country wants to create a modern-day version of the Russian empire.

“I also believe that we have to understand, in the larger context of what this is all about, and it's all got to do with the centuries old ambitions of the Russians to establish the Russian empire,” he said.

soundoff(232 Responses)

USA it seems losing the leadership to Europe and the last crises in Georgia showed clearly. With McCain I am sure USA will lose all.

August 13, 2008 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

Abby

You opportunistic man, please don’t make this unfortunate war between two far away countries, something that you cant do a thing about, into a political issue to exploit.

Second, whatever one may think of him, we still have a sitting president and it’s his job to speak.

August 13, 2008 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

Mark

OK. McCain is annoying me now. He says Putin wants to restore the Rissian empire (basically the cold war era). As soon as the Obama campaign calls him to order on his militant approach, he backtracks and says this will not lead to the cold war. What????????????????

August 13, 2008 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

DR. YES

and what about the 2000? people of tskhinvali,mccain?why were they killed?you dont have anymore info than anyone else except for your lobbyist buddy,scheuneman.mccain may have had more to do with this than we'll ever know.probably trying to SCARE up a few more votes.

August 13, 2008 02:45 pm at 2:45 pm |

FS

Okay, is it me or is this guy all over the map with this issue?

August 13, 2008 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

Abby

You opportunistic man, please don’t make this unfortunate war between two far away countries, something that you cant do a thing about, into a political issue to exploit.
Second, whatever one may think of him, we still have a sitting president and it’s his job to speak.

August 13, 2008 02:46 pm at 2:46 pm |

Jeremy Sun

McWar at it again.... China is rising fast.... proud of my home nation. Yup!

August 13, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

Rod Texas

Yeah right., McCain dreams with the 1960's. He lives in the 60's and the cold war era.

He has an inner desire for vengance from his capture and torture by the communists and that's why he is always fighting for everybody. Those repressed feelings

We do not need an aggressive, repressed vietnam vets with flashbacks as president.

August 13, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

George, MA

Oh good, just what we need a McCain war in Iran and Russia. He's brilliant-NOT.

Obama 08

August 13, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Texas trail puppy

McCain said he “strongly” supports Bush’s position. Now he is strongly supporting Bush i guess he is no more running away from Bush.Hmmmm..................

August 13, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Mike

You dont have any lobbyist ties to Georgia do you McCain?

August 13, 2008 02:50 pm at 2:50 pm |

Ex-Republican for Obama

McCain said he “strongly” supports Bush’s position.

Wow, who would have guessed that? Par for the course

August 13, 2008 02:51 pm at 2:51 pm |

Rob

this man news retirement fast ....he'll bring back the cold war..Just what we need a 3rd war..

August 13, 2008 02:52 pm at 2:52 pm |

kendall

He is going to start the draft back as president. I can hear it now, due to situation in the world we are asking for a mandatory draft to fight Russia, Iran, N. Korea and any one else who messes with the U.S.

August 13, 2008 02:52 pm at 2:52 pm |

Mikey

Okay, so AFTER he preempted the official U.S. response with inflamatory statements made for personal political gain, now he “'strongly' supports Bush’s position".

Should we put a loose cannon in the White House? I think not!

August 13, 2008 02:53 pm at 2:53 pm |

KATE

It is clear Mcwar enjoys wars, he garners his selfesteem from wars. I wonder if he knows the Vietnam war is over, and its now 2008, thanks to him and Bushy, we are in onather war in Iraq, while the terrorists are rising in Afganistan and Pakistan border.

August 13, 2008 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

Scott L

Great opportunity for Israel to attack Iran in the coming months. Lots of distractions out there. Who do you want in office when that happens? Obama or McCain? Keep in mind both candidates have promised solidarity with the Jews. Let's see which one throws them under the bus first. I am 100% confident his last name begins with a capital "O".

August 13, 2008 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

Obama The King?

NO, NO, No, McCain. We need to send Barry to Russia to talk with Putin. He'll calm everything down and restore Peace.

August 13, 2008 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

Griff

It can't! Russia will shrink, they will soon be just be another little Country; of Europe...

August 13, 2008 02:54 pm at 2:54 pm |

David

yeah, stand couragously behind Georgia, McCain. they're fighting the proxy test war for you neo-cons. the US has dealt arms to them and so has Israel. and both countries have military advisors over there now as well as mercenaries (Blackwater, DynaCorp). main stream media is not reporting that Russia captured one.

August 13, 2008 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |

Obamacan

Is anyone really considering this man for President? He can't recall any of his voting record w/o Cindy, Joe, or Lindsey Graham whispering in his ear. He is itching for a fight with Iran and Russia.

August 13, 2008 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |

dollorbil

I don't agre with that. The cold war has been going on for a while now ever since Putin and Bush looked in each others eyes and Putin though boy have I got a fool here.

August 13, 2008 02:56 pm at 2:56 pm |

Frank from Peterborough

People look at the facts. Georgia started this fray and basically challenged Russia thinking the U.S. would step in and scare Russia off on their behalf.

Problem is America has absolutely no moral authority or credibility throughout the world and as such all influence they once had is now gone.

The best that can be hoped for is that the Europeans can stabilize the situation and restore some calm. The fact is sabre rattling and name calling by McCain/Bush/Cheney is a joke and only serves to lower the image of the U.S. throughout the world.

Put a gag on your idiots before they end up completely destroying your country beyond repair.

August 13, 2008 02:56 pm at 2:56 pm |

obamacrat

We need to look no further than the war in Iraq for a reason why our hands are tied and we are unable to give any meaningful response to this crisis. If McCain wants to play politics with this situation then Obama just needs to keep hammering this fact home. The war in Iraq has weakened us. Militarily, economically, and politically.